ICYMI: New Warnock Report Finds Required School Supplies Can Cost Georgia Families $130 Per Child

Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report examining the rising cost of school supplies as families prepare for back-to-school shopping

Senator Warnock's new report shows how expanding the Child Tax Credit could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs

The report found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies

Common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year

Senator Reverend Warnock: "Expanding the Child Tax Credit is not only the right thing to do morally, but the smart thing to do economically. I will keep fighting to get this done"

Washington, D.C. - Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, held a press call to highlight the release of his new report, which found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies. Additionally, the report examines how expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs and other everyday expenses. As families prepare to send their children back to school, they face rising costs for school supplies thanks to President Trump's reckless tariff policies.

The report reviewed 4^th grade school supply lists from five schools across Georgia and reveals that common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year, respectively.

More media coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock's press conference below:

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: As the new school year begins in metro Atlanta, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., is calling for the passage of the American Family Act, which he says will help families with the cost of school supplies and other child-related expenses.

• WABE: It's back-to-school time! And preparing for the upcoming school year is getting more expensive for Georgia families. That's according to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who says tariffs are putting additional pressure on Georgia's families. A new report from his office shows that Georgia families are spending more to fill up their kids' backpacks compared to last year.

• Cobb County Courier: At a press conference called by Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, Liz Pancotti with Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation noted that many of these products are produced overseas, and that companies are passing on costs to protect their bottom line. Moreover, "healthy foods cost more, and there have been cuts to government assistance for food security."

• WUGA: U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock says tariffs imposed by the Trump administration mean Georgia families will spend more on school supplies. During a press call on Thursday, Senator Warnock cited a new report by his office which states Georgia families will spend more than $130 per child on fourth grade school supplies.

• 11Alive: Senator Warnock's report shows fourth-grade supplies can exceed $130, with items like pencils and lunch boxes rising 31% and 27% in a year.

• WRDW: Hours earlier, Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock painted a different picture, releasing data on the rising cost of back-to-school shopping. According to the report, a basic fourth-grade supply list now tops $130 per child, with staples like lunch boxes and pencils spiking in price. Warnock blamed the administration's tariff policies for squeezing household budgets.

• WGXA: Are tariffs driving up back-to-school costs? U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report that found Georgia families could spend more than $130 per child on school supplies. Now, he is introducing legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit.

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